We celebrate Thanksgiving every November. As the story goes, the first Thanksgiving occurred when immigrants arrived at our shores hungry and native people helped them survive. Thanksgiving was an honored but informal holiday until the Civil War when the need to bind the nation’s wounds led to a national holiday.
While we hear about controversies and troubles we still have much for which to give thanks. As Democrats, we are thankful to live in Douglas County. This is the most pleasant place on Earth to live, with mild weather, natural beauty, wonderful food and great wine. Our communities are full of good neighbors. We are thankful for our parks and recreation opportunities. We are thankful for the beautiful Umpqua River and the many fishing and swimming holes the length of this mighty river.
Douglas County is small enough that if you get out and meet people you quickly enter into webs of friendships. When there is a public need, we help one another to address the need. Just look at the Celebration of the 50th anniversary of Umpqua Community College and all the good that institution has brought to us. There are dozens of smaller events and celebrations like this every month of the year.
The Democratic Party of Douglas County is thankful for the Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians, descendants of the first people. They have created a dynamic presence in Douglas County with wonderful events, fine dinners and economic opportunity for many. The money they raise is returned to our communities in countless ways.
We applaud the many excellent musicians who live here and bring us music and dance. How many times have you attended an event when musical instruments came out and a joyful sound was made. We thank the musicians who share their music with those of us who can only play the radio. We thank the educators from college to childcare; they tend our most precious resource and get paid far less than the are worth.
As Democrats, we are thankful for and deeply appreciate the many groups representing people of color, and of the gay and lesbian members of our community. They bring us the diversity and open mindedness any thriving community needs. These friends have always been here and do not seek special privileges. They seek recognition that they exist. Standing up takes courage.
We are thankful to the many people who bring us healing. From the doctors, surgeons, dentists and optometrists to their hardworking staffs we thank them. We are especially thankful for the nurses and CNAs who do the dirty work with a smile, respect and genuine compassion. They are knowledgeable, kind and when we hurt, they guide us toward healing.
We are thankful for the police (All those who hate speeding tickets raise your right foot), firefighters and utility repairmen who run towards trouble to keep the rest of us out of harm’s way. These are the people who show up when the river is high and the snow is deep. They don’t hear Thank You nearly enough. When you are at your feast chowing down on turkey and gravy and the kids are putting olives on their fingers, these friends and neighbors will be at work.
We do have our issues but they are out in public for debate and discussion. We thank the News Review for giving political parties a chance to write at length about the issues that motivate us. Our Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and a free press and the Douglas County Democratic Party is thankful for all of our rights guaranteed in the Constitution.
The Democratic Party of Douglas County is thankful for our political leaders and the messy arguments, disputes and debates that characterize the American system. At all levels of government the political pendulum swings back and forth between liberalism and conservatism. When the pendulum has gone far enough it swings back and spends more time over the center than any other system. We are proud to participate. Although we spar with our political opponents for mistaken positions we give thanks for the Republicans and all of the other political parties. We need political parties to challenge the status quo and give voters a chance to choose who they want in power. In authoritarian governments dissent is silenced and destructive blunders occur simply because those in power have eliminated anyone to question them.
After COVID the Democratic Party of Douglas County began to hold our public Central Committee meetings via zoom. We are excited to return to public gatherings. You are welcome to join us at our next meeting Dec. 30 at the Roseburg Public Library. Social meeting is at 11 a.m., business meeting starts at 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
This article was published in the News-Review on Nov 26 2023.